Joyce DiCamillo: Sunrise Lady

Pianist Joyce DiCamillo and her trio come out swingin’ on their fifth CD, Sunrise Lady, with a muscular reading of “The Lamp Is Low” and sustain a delightful groove throughout, thanks in part to her canny choice of repertoire and even more to the group’s close interplay after seventeen years together. With so many excellent piano–led trios competing these days for a place in the sun, what one chooses to record is sometimes as important as how the music is performed, and DiCamillo sets about gaining the upper hand by interpreting a number of luminous yet too–seldom–heard melodies including “Young and Foolish,” “I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life” and Henry Mancini’s “Dreamsville.” DiCamillo is relaxed, comfortable and in command on these ballads, as she is on the faster numbers — “The Lamp Is Low,” Mancini’s theme from “Peter Gunn,” the Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz standard “You and the Night and the Music,” Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin’,” and especially the album’s buoyant centerpiece, “Sunrise Lady” (introduced by Joe Corsello’s vigorous minute–plus drum solo). Completing the program are Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments” and the lovely ballad “I’m a Fool to Want You.” DiCamillo employs a strong two–handed attack on the up-tempo selections — with random flashes of McCoy Tyner, Gene Harris, Les McCann and other unrelenting thumpers peeking through — and is appropriately earnest and expressive when the mood is mellow. DiCamillo’s every move is well–cushioned by Corsello and bassist Rick Petrone who’ve become quite adept at anticipating and responding to her special zigs and zags. The result is a well–planned and well–played slice of straight–ahead Jazz that swings when it should but doesn’t overlook the value of warmth and beauty. Well–recorded too. A dandy album for trio–lovers.

I grew up listening to my father's jazz records and listening to the radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's jazz records and listening to the radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.